The tribe then asked Cummings to repay the funds but he refused. That led to federal court indictment and a guilty plea, the U.S. Attorney's Office in South Dakota announced on Thursday.

"According to his plea agreement, between December 28, 2015, and January 18, 2016, Cummings did willfully and knowingly embezzle, steal, misapply, and convert to his own use monies, funds, credits, goods, assets, and other property belonging to the Oglala Sioux Tribe," the office said in a press release. "Cummings pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor and has agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $2,500."

Cummings, whose guilty plea was accepted on August 4, faces up to 1 year in prison, in addition to paying restitution. A sentencing date has not been entered in the federal court's online system as of Friday morning.